The detention of Abdulrasheed Bawa, the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), by the Department of State Services (DSS) for over 50 days since his suspension on June 14, has drawn sharp criticism from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA). The group has accused the DSS of acting like a dictatorship and has raised concerns about potential fascism and a lack of transparency under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, expressed dismay at the secret police’s silence on the specific allegations against Bawa and the lack of progress in the investigation. The absence of formal charges and denial of access to family or legal representation for Bawa have raised serious concerns about the violation of his constitutional rights and the disregard for due process.
The civil rights advocacy group has vehemently called for the immediate and unconditional release of Bawa, emphasizing that prolonged detention without formal charges or legal representation goes against the principles of justice, democracy, and human rights. HURIWA has urged relevant authorities to uphold the rule of law and international best practices while addressing these allegations promptly and transparently.
